In Tennessee, the 2025 Medical Ethics Defense Act permits healthcare professionals to refuse treatment based on personal moral, ethical, or religious beliefs. This has led to instances of patients being denied necessary care, such as a pregnant woman seeking prenatal treatment who was turned away by a physician for being unmarried. Critics, including medical professionals and lawmakers, argue that this legislation undermines fundamental medical ethics and the obligation to do no harm. As a result, patients are left to seek care elsewhere, often with significant emotional and logistical burdens.
Under a new law in Tennessee, doctors can refuse treatment based on their moral, ethical, or religious beliefs, leading to a woman being denied prenatal care for being unmarried.
Dr. Amy Bono criticized the Medical Ethics Defense Act for allowing politicians to influence medical care, stating that legislation should prioritize the patient.
The 2025 Medical Ethics Defense Act allows healthcare professionals to refuse to treat patients based on personal beliefs, undermining the principle of doing no harm.
A patient in Tennessee shared her experience of being denied medical care due to her marital status, highlighting the emotional toll of such discriminatory practices.
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